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The U.S. Navy is asking for $1.8 billion in the 2014 fiscal year to procure four Littoral Combat Ships and $5.41 billion for a Virginia-class submarine. Lt. Courtney Hillson, a Navy spokeswoman, said the Navy is "committed to working more efficiently and cost-effectively in this resource-constrained environment."

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Naval Sea Systems Command's top-level specifications for a new large-diameter unmanned underwater vehicle calls for "increased endurance, long range, and payload hosting," according to a recent command announcement. Other requirements include launch and recovery by Littoral Combat Ships and Virginia-class submarines.

The Navy christened its latest nuclear-powered submarine, the New Mexico, on Saturday, but even as the ranks of Virginia-class subs grew to six, attention shifted to the future. Before Christmas, partners Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics Corp., expect to get an order for eight additional vessels at a cost of $2 billion each.

John Casey, president of General Dynamics' Electric Boat division, said his company plans to hire 650 workers next year to help build a new Virginia-class submarine. But the good news for 2009 was tempered by doubts about the outlook for 2010, when 1,000 employees may need to be cut, Casey said.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., is seeking an additional $300 million to fund Virginia-class submarines. The House's seapower subcommittee's budget authorization passed Thursday. It included Courtney's amendment for the additional funds along with $2.1 billion already budgeted for the submarine.

The Navy continues to look for ways to reduce capital expenditures for the Virginia-class submarine program. The Navy has a per-unit target of $2 billion. General Dynamics' Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman will build the ship.